BLEU 2021

Origin and Winemaking Philosophy

Bleu 2021 is a white wine from the heart of Andalusia, made from 100% Zalema grapes cultivated with full respect for nature. With a limited production of 1,500 bottles, it offers exclusivity and authenticity. The wine expresses the history of the land and a dedication to artisanal viticulture.

Vineyards and Terroir

The Zalema vines cover about 5 hectares on calcareous-clay soils, providing freshness and minerality. With an average age of 60 years, the vineyards are farmed organically and naturally, without systemic treatments. Hand harvesting ensures only the best grapes are selected, preserving fruit purity and vineyard biodiversity.

Vinification and Aging

Vinification follows a careful and natural approach: spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel by indigenous yeasts. The wine is aged for 7 months in French oak barrels, adding complexity and elegance while maintaining the fresh character of Zalema.

Tasting Notes

Bleu 2021 shows a bright straw-yellow color. The nose reveals aromas of fresh citrus, white flowers, and subtle hints of dried fruit. On the palate it is harmonious and balanced, combining acidity and minerality with an elegant texture and a long, delicately oaky finish.

Food Pairing

This versatile wine pairs perfectly with fish, shellfish, sushi, white meats, and Mediterranean first courses. It also complements fresh or semi-aged cheeses, making it a refined companion for authentic cuisine.

Technical Sheet

• Region: Andalusia

• Variety: 100% Zalema

• Appellation: White Wine

• Vineyard Size: 5 ha

• Soil: Calcareous-clay

• Average Vine Age: 60 years

• Viticulture: Natural, organic

• Harvest: Manual

• Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel

• Aging: 7 months in French oak barrels

• SO2 Added: No

• Production: 1,500 bottles

• Serving Temperature: 10–12°

Garay – The Authentic Voice of Zalema

History and Origins

Mario Garay was born into a family deeply connected to wine: his paternal grandfather was an oenologist, while his maternal family had been winemakers for generations. Originally from Cacabelos, in Castilla y León, Mario moved to La Palma del Condado for love. There, he decided to create his own wine project, founding Bodegas Garay in 2013.

For years, Mario sold his grapes to local wineries, but feeling they could not truly enhance their potential, he chose to work independently. This decision gave life to a small artisanal estate, which today counts around 5 hectares of vineyards, with more to come, and stands out for its unique identity.

The Vineyard and Philosophy

The true star here is Zalema, an indigenous white grape variety of western Andalusia. Mario Garay cultivates the first certified organic Zalema vineyard by CAAE, a milestone that underlines his respect for nature.

The vineyards, with vines over 50 years old and some reaching a century, are located at 150 meters of altitude, on medium-fertility calcareous-clay soils. This terroir has always been highly suited to viticulture, and Garay expresses it in its purest form.

Garay’s approach is simple yet radical: natural viticulture with minimal intervention. The soils remain covered by spontaneous vegetation to retain moisture and prevent erosion. No systemic treatments are applied, and every vineyard task – pruning, thinning, harvesting – is carried out by hand.

Winemaking

Harvest takes place between late August and early September, with grapes handpicked into small 20 kg crates. After careful selection, the bunches are destemmed, and pressing is done manually with a small oak press, reflecting a deeply artisanal spirit.

The free-run must ferments spontaneously in stainless steel tanks with indigenous yeasts, preserving the varietal character of Zalema.

Aging

Depending on the style Mario Garay aims to achieve, his wines undergo different aging processes:

• in American or French oak barrels, for added structure and complexity;

• in non-buried amphorae, to highlight purity and freshness;

• or under oxidation with a flor veil, recalling the great Andalusian winemaking tradition.

This diversity allows Garay to showcase all the nuances of Zalema, from its most elegant and mineral expression to its oxidative and profound soul.